and lastly Gist's very large and fine brigade. Our old men will doubtless shoulder their guns as we all did last summer for weary months; but this gives a very few hundred in all. Everybody is in the field. I do not know any other city in the Confederacy that has been obliged to call out (not for a day or two, as in Richmond, but for months) its exempt population and keep them under arms to defend it against the regular army of the enemy. But there is no help apparently for it, and we must make the best of it. I hope sincerely all may be as you anticipate.*

Very respectfully,

WM. PORCHER MILES.

P. S.-You insist that the enemy has diminished his force largely in this vicinity, although General Beauregard continually asserts that he has no evidence of any material diminution, but the contrary. We

fear your means of information are not so certain and reliable as his.

[14.]

CHARLESTON, May 14, 1863.

Honorable J. A. SEDDON,

Richmond, Va.:

Cavalry being indispensable to guard railroad to Savannah, I shall send another regiment infantry and one light battery to General Pemberton.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

[14.]

RICHMOND, VA., July 10, 1863.

Mr. MACBETH,

Mayor of Charleston, S. C.:

It is very desirable that all the citizens of Charleston able to bear arms and not subject to enrollment for military service should be promptly organized for local defense, under the act of Congress to induce such voluntary service. I request your efficient aid in this matter.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[28.]

RICHMOND, VA., July 10, 1863.

Governor BONHAM,

Columbia, S. C.:

Can you send 2,000 or 3,000 local-defense troops or militia for immediate service at Chrlsto? If so, please notify General Beauregard and forward them as rapidly as possisble.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[28.]

CHARLESTON, July 17, 1863.

President DAVIS:

Richmond, Va.:

My call for troops to fill your requisition nearly completed. It is telegraphed from Richmond that you by proclamation direct all person between eighteen and forty-five not in service to report o camps of